Sherbini's Stunning Performance

24 June 2018Written by Jeff Collerson

SHERBINI was the talk of the track at Wentworth Park on Saturday night when she staged an extraordinary last-to-first effort to win the main 720m event.

Course broadcaster Tim Newbold described the Mark Gatt-trained stayer's win as "among the best performances seen at Wentworth Park'' after Sherbini gave the leaders, Big Butters and Kanzan, 25 lengths' start with under a lap to go.

Sherbini was still 10 lengths behind the second-last dog entering the back straight but sustained a long run from there to be a close fourth coming to the home turn.

She roared away in the straight to win by just under two lengths from Big Butters and Kanzan, stopping the clock at a slick 42.47sec.

Time honours over 520m on Saturday night went to the consistent Sky Wave, who again jumped in front and led throughout for trainer Vic Sultana.

Sky Wave won the top grade sprint in 29.84 and was the only 520m winner to break the 30 second barrier.

Her early splits of 5.49 and 13.95 were surpassed by the George Borg-trained Ben Hur, who led throughout to win a 520m fifth grade in 30.13sec, and also by Alpine Little who won a low grade heat in identical time.

Ben Hur's initial sectional figures of 5.46 and 13.93 won him the race, with Borg commenting: "He finally nailed the start.

"Ben Hur used to be a fast beginner but lately he tends to go crazy in the boxes once he hears the lure approaching.

"Fortunately tonight, he came out on the right leg and when he led I knew he would win because he has become stronger at the end of his races.''

King Panda scored his first WP 720m win when he led throughout in Saturday's fifth grade staying race, hanging on to win by a half length in a respectable 42.65sec.

"He trialled a smart 30.60 over 535m at Richmond on Tuesday and I said to my wife Tracey that if he got to the lead without having to work hard he would win tonight,'' Frank Hurst said.

Mighty midget Alpine Little raced very wide from box three but still managed to lead throughout in her 520m low grade heat on Saturday, with the tiny 23.3kg bitch clocking quick splits of 5.45 and 13.93 on the way to victory.

There is seldom a WP meeting without a win being recorded by one of John Finn's fabulous quartet of siblings comprising Poco Dorado, Two Times Twice, Blue Moon Rising and Veloce Nero.

On Saturday it was Blue Moon Rising's turn, with the son of Fernando Bale and Chica Destacada taking the lead going through the catching pen to win a 520m fifth grade in 30.14sec.

"They have been a marvellous litter and they earn prizemoney just about every week,'' Finn said.

"Blue Moon Rising had a nice draw in box one tonight, especially as Smooth Blend, who had box two, is inclined to get a bit wide.

"Blue Moon Rising also began better than usual with box one probably helping drag him out on terms with his rivals.''